Separation systems, devices and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11528988-B2
Application number	US-201816191382-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 14, 2018
Priority date	Nov 14, 2017
Publication date	Dec 20, 2022
Grant date	Dec 20, 2022

Abstract

A brush-like device that adapts to tangles in hair and allows for easy removal of hair post-groom using uniquely shaped, anisotropic papillae not unlike those found on a feline tongue.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of separating a target formed of components comprising moving a base substrate with arcuate spines through the target, comprising:
extension of the base substrate with arcuate spines;
lateral expansion and stiffness of the base substrate;
sweep of the base substrate with arcuate spines through the target; and
retraction of the base substrate with arcuate spines in a retraction orientation;
wherein retraction of the base substrate comprises retraction of the base substrate with arcuate spines in a V-shaped curl.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising transferring a wetting agent from at least a portion of the arcuate spines to the target.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the base substrate with arcuate spines through the target comprises a plurality of moving cycles.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the base substrate has a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 5.4-12.8 kPa.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spines, each extending from the base substrate and terminating in a spine tip, have a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 1.61-1.99 GPa.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the target comprises strands of hair.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the base substrate with arcuate spines comprises a plurality of cycles.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines between each cycle.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the base substrate has a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 5.4-12.8 kPa; and
wherein the arcuate spines, each extending from the base substrate and terminating in a spine tip, have a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 1.61-1.99 GPa.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spines are backward-facing.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spine density is approximately 0.2 arcuate spine/mm 2 .

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spines are embedded in the base substrate to a depth of approximately 0.9 mm.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spines are shaped as papillae.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate spines are shaped as filiform papillae.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the relationship between the base substrate and the arcuate spines provides a frictionally anisotropic device.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines;
wherein the wettability of the base substrate is higher than the arcuate spines.

18. A method of separating a target formed of components comprising moving a base substrate with arcuate spines through the target, comprising:
extension of the base substrate with arcuate spines;
lateral expansion and stiffness of the base substrate;
sweep of the base substrate with arcuate spines through the target; and
retraction of the base substrate with arcuate spines in a retraction orientation;
wherein the relationship between the base substrate and the arcuate spines provides a frictionally anisotropic device.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein retraction of the base substrate comprises retraction of the base substrate with arcuate spines in a V-shaped curl.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein one or more of:
moving the base substrate with arcuate spines through the target comprises a plurality of moving cycles;
moving the base substrate with arcuate spines comprises a plurality of cycles and the method further comprises wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines between each cycle;
the base substrate has a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 5.4-12.8 kPa;
the arcuate spines, each extending from the base substrate and terminating in a spine tip, have a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 1.61-1.99 GPa;
the arcuate spine density is approximately 0.2 arcuate spine/mm 2 ;
the arcuate spines are embedded in the base substrate to a depth of approximately 0.9 mm;
the arcuate spines are backward-facing;
the arcuate spines are shaped as papillae;
the arcuate spines are shaped as filiform papillae;
the target comprises strands of hair;
the method further comprises transferring a wetting agent from at least a portion of the arcuate spines to the target;
the method further comprises wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines; and
the method further comprises wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines, wherein the wettability of the base substrate is higher than the arcuate spines.

21. A method of separating a target formed of components comprising moving a base substrate with arcuate spines through the target, comprising:
extension of the base substrate with arcuate spines;
lateral expansion and stiffness of the base substrate;
sweep of the base substrate with arcuate spines through the target;
retraction of the base substrate with arcuate spines in a retraction orientation; and
wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines;
wherein the wettability of the base substrate is higher than the arcuate spines.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein one or more of:
moving the base substrate with arcuate spines through the target comprises a plurality of moving cycles;
moving the base substrate with arcuate spines comprises a plurality of cycles and the method further comprises wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines between each cycle;
the base substrate has a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 5.4-12.8 kPa;
the arcuate spines, each extending from the base substrate and terminating in a spine tip, have a modulus of elasticity of from approximately 1.61-1.99 GPa;
the arcuate spine density is approximately 0.2 arcuate spine/mm 2 ;
the arcuate spines are embedded in the base substrate to a depth of approximately 0.9 mm;
the arcuate spines are backward-facing;
the arcuate spines are shaped as papillae;
the arcuate spines are shaped as filiform papillae;
the target comprises strands of hair;
retraction of the base substrate comprises retraction of the base substrate with arcuate spines in a V-shaped curl;
the relationship between the base substrate and the arcuate spines provides a frictionally anisotropic device;
the method further comprises transferring a wetting agent from at least a portion of the arcuate spines to the target; and
the method further comprises wetting the base substrate with arcuate spines.

Assignees

• Georgia Tech Res Inst

Inventors

• Noel Alexis
• Hu David

Classifications

• A46D1/0238

  Bristles with non-round cross-section · CPC title

• A46B2200/1093

  Brush for use on animal (A46B2200/1086 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A46B11/001

  with integral reservoirs (A46B11/0003, A46B11/0006 take precedence) · CPC title

• A01K13/00 Primary

  Devices for grooming or caring of animals, e.g. curry-combs; Fetlock rings; Tail-holders (as part of the harness B68B5/04); Devices for preventing crib-biting; Washing devices; Protection against weather conditions or insects · CPC title

• A46B9/028 Primary

  Bristle profile, the end of the bristle defining a surface other than a single plane or deviating from a simple geometric form, e.g. cylinder, sphere or cone · CPC title